ALERT! Collier County Commissioners poised to oppose Amendment 4 and the right to choose

*The proposed resolution by the Collier County Board of Commissioners. (The full resolution is below.) (Document: CCBC)*

June 10, 2024 by David Silverberg

Tomorrow, June 11, the Collier County Board of Commissioners is poised to consider a resolution expressing opposition to Amendment 4, a proposed state constitutional amendment guaranteeing a woman’s right to choose abortion, which will be on the ballot in the general election on Nov. 5.

In unusual wording for a county resolution, it expresses opposition in the first person, using the article “I;” meaning that it expresses a single individual’s opinion but puts it forward as the opinion of the entire county.

As quoted by the proposed resolution, the language of Amendment 4, formally titled “Limiting government interference with abortion,” states that “Except as provided in Article X, Section 22, no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider.”

The proposed Collier County resolution then goes on to state:

“WHEREAS, I believe that the language of the proposed amendment is vague, deceptive, and overbroad, and would strike already enacted protections instituted by the State of Florida by broadening the definition of healthcare providers to those not medically licensed, eliminating parental consent for minors, and allowing the life of the unborn to be taken right up to the moment of birth; and

“WHEREAS, the Board believes that the passage of Amendment 4 would be detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Collier County and the State of Florida.

“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, expresses its strong opposition to Amendment 4.”

Commissioner Chris Hall (R-District 2) currently chairs the Collier County Board of Commissioners and is expected to introduce the resolution.

Collier County residents can express an opinion on this matter by writing or calling their commissioners. The resolution is listed as agenda item 10B and residents who sign up in person the day of the meeting can speak before the Board for 3 minutes. The Commission meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

District 1

Rick LoCastro

Rick.LoCastro@colliercountyfl.gov
(239) 252-8601

District 2

Chris Hall

Chris.hall@colliercountyfl.gov
(239) 252-8602

District 3

Burt Saunders

Burt.Saunders@colliercountyfl.gov
(239) 252-8603

District 4

Dan Kowal

Dan.kowal@colliercountyfl.gov
(239) 252-8604